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MattP

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Matt
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Hi Everyone,

As you'll see from my status this is my first post so Hi!!

I recently brought a Canon 450D with EFS 18-55mm lens, but found that this wasn't enough zoom for what I need.

I'm still getting used to the camera and am a complete novice so I am in need of help when buying a new lens. I need one to get a bit "closer" than the 18-55 is getting me for shots normally of cars like in the one below, but also for taking photos in low light at my little one's nursery - for school plays etc.

Rather than taking the shop assistants advice (who will sell me the one with the best commission) I thought I'd seek some advice from non biased people. I'd prefer one lens to do both jobs, but if I need two, i'll have to buy two. Looking to spend under £300.

IMG_0210.png


Thanks!!
Matt
 
I do't have any experience with them but for the price the Canon EF 70-300 and EF-S 55-250 IS are meant to be quite good.

They both have IS and are good for the price optically too according to reviews, you'd probably have to get the 70-300 2nd hand to get it in under your budget though but that's no problem. :)
 
The first lens that comes to mind is the Tamron 28-75 f2.8. I'd suggest you buy locally or from a reputable store so that if you don't get a good copy you can exchange. If you need longer then as well as the advice above, if you can stretch to a little bit more perhaps the canon 70-200mm f4 L - this lens will do the job...they're going for mid to high £300s on ebay.
 
Strolls said:
Cheap or fast. Pick one.
Click to expand...

Depends how fast... faster is possible cheap.

You could look out for a 70-210 F4 (Drainpipe)
This is an old Canon lens that can be had for under £100 in the most part and is remarkably good & F4 throughout the range. Push pull zoom and build like a tank.

Or there is the 70-210 F3.5-4.5 USM
Still lets more light in than your 18-55 and the AF is much better than then 70-210 F4

Beyond these two you have to up your budget.
 
Tamron 70-200 f2.8, Simple :) Haha

Would need to stretch the budget a little however, shop around for s/h ones

Mike
 
I have a 70-200mm f4 I am selling but as mentioned in a previous post maybe a bit over budget and not really suitable for low light....Still a great lens though :D
 
Thanks all for your advice. It's definately given me some direction.

Will keep my eye out for a 70-210 F3.5-4.5 USM

Matt
 
The canon 55-250 IS is excellent value for money.
the picture below was taken with settings which might be used for sport or action. the small section shown is at actual pixels, which is far larger than would be normal. You might also expect to sharpen far more than this for such work.



actual-pixels272.jpg
 
I concure with Terrywoodenpic, the 55-250 IS is a supurb lens for the money! I think I posted this on another thread recently, but here is a thread of mine with some motorsport pics taken at Thruxton;

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=114477

You dont need the high end settings illustrated in Terry's post for it though, all these were shot between 200 and 400 ISO at F5.6 (apart from the panning shots, these were 100 iso) which was giving me a shutter speed of approx 1/1000. The light was good that day though!
 
My first buys were the 70-300 IS from Canon, can really recommend that one, but, minimum focusing distance is 1.5m, and at a minimum of 70, group shots are difficult
My other first lens was the 28-135 IS. This I think is a bit blurry compared with the 70-300, but it could be the way I use it. It is a very good, almost replacement for the kit lens, giving a decent bit of extra reach.

The IS on these is very good for low light, but, your subjects must be still too in order to benefit from IS.

If you don't mind swapping your lenses about though, that shot from the 55-250 looks good. At 55mm (which you could test on your current lens), would you get enough of a wide angle for when you need it?


That said, if you can afford to get an extra lens, not for the reach, the 50/1.8 (around £70-90), will give you a nice lower light portrait style lens to use on the little one whilst playing. Will let a lot more light in at 50mm than the 18-55 would at the same distance
 
I think for that budget it would have to be a fast lens and a long lens.
I would recomend a 50mm f1.8 (cheap as chips) and a new or secondhand 70-300 of some description (if you want secondhand I am selling one on here)
 
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